The Monthly Favorites Daily Cap(s) (2012)

January

January

February

February

March

March

April

April

May

May

June

June

July

July

August

August

September

September

October

October

November

November

December

December

The Last of the Daily Cap(s) (366)

It's done y'all...The 2012 Daily Cap(s) is done with this post. It's been a family affair....

It’s done y’all…The 2012 Daily Cap(s) is finished with this post. It has been a family affair…with my own and my many friends down by the lake.

Over the course of the year, I actually used 5 cameras in pushing the shutter release button more than 50,000 times. My index finger is in traction now....

Over the course of the year, I actually pushed a shutter release button more than 50,000 times with 5 different cameras. My index finger is in traction now. (This is my favorite backup camera…a FugiFilm FinePix S4000).

My preferred weapon of choice in this endeavor (Canon 60D with a Tamron 70-300 zoom and Canon F1.4 50mm lens)

And my left eye needs to be propped open most of the time these days. Here’s my preferred weapon of choice throughout this entire adventure (Canon 60D with a Tamron 70-300 zoom, Canon F1.4 50mm lens, and a few other lenses and filters). Not a day went bye without this guy being a friend, and having a healthy love-hate relationship with her.

It's been a challenging year, but I managed to "push hard" past many a doors along the way....and had a blast!

It’s been a challenging year that found a need to “push hard” past many a door along the way….and had a blast doing just that!

Happy New Year you guys! Thanks for staying with me through all this! See ya in 2013

Happy New Year you guys! Thanks for staying with me through all this! See ya in 2013….

The Random Daily Cap(s) (365)

Straddlin'

Straddlin’

Drought lines at the water's edge(s)

Drought lines at the water’s edge(s)

Stoic and waiting for something....

Stoic and waiting for something….

Sittin'

Sittin’

I wanna say these are native persimmon, but don't hold me to it....

I wanna say these are native persimmon, but don’t hold me to it….

The Lake Surprise Daily Cap(s) (364)

I went down to the lake to catch the 13th and last full moon moonset of 2012....

I went down to the lake to catch the 13th and last full moon moonset of 2012….

And while I was there, found a sunrise....

And while there, I found a sunrise….

and some shoreline tranquility....

and tranquility at the water’s edge….

And to my surprise, I happened upon a pair of coyotes roaming about....

And to my surprise, I happened upon a pair of coyotes roaming about….

They seemed as curious about me as I was of them....

They seemed as curious about me as I was of them.

So many times nature has impressed me....

Over the years, so many times nature has impressed me….

How at times it can raise its head....

How at times she can raise her head and get your attention….

And other times, she blends in so well with her creation....

And other times, she blends in so well with the rest of her creation….

The Last Full Moon Daily Cap(s) (363)

The last full moon of 2012, also referred to as the "long night's moon" being the full moon closest to the winter solstice....

The 13th and last full moon of 2012 is also referred to as the “long night’s moon” being the full moon closest to the winter solstice….

With the help of simple post-processing, one can get a warm glow to the full moon....

With the help of simple post-processing, one can get a warm glow to a cold winter’s full moon….

Or it can take on a cool-ness  look (but this is not a true "Blue Moon")....

Or it can take on a cool-ness look (but know this is not a true “Blue Moon”)….

But enough of the astrology lesson - here the leafless Cedar Elm is silhouetted by the brightness of the moon....

But enough of the astrology lesson – here the leafless Cedar Elm is silhouetted by the brightness of the moon….

As is the Crapemyrtle

As is the Crapemyrtle

The Leafy Daily Cap(s) (362)

I pulled out my collection of morning walk fall color leaves this evening and tried to be creative....not!

I pulled out my collection of morning walk fall color leaves this evening and tried to be creative….not!

Why would this remind me of a chocolate commercial?

Why, of all things, would this remind me of a chocolate commercial?

Last one....

Last one….four (4) different types of tree leaves in this bunch. Can you name them?

The From Lincoln to Boxing Day Fun Daily Cap(s) (361)

We spent 4 days in Austin with Lincoln...and everyone else. He had a blast!

We spent 4 days in Austin with Lincoln…and everyone else. He had a blast!

Lincoln get to tooling around, sometimes with Mom's help....

Lincoln get to tooling around, sometimes with Mom’s help….

Lincoln hanging out with Uncle Mark....

Lincoln hanging out with Uncle Mark – he “picked” this seat on his own BTW :) ….

Then off we go back to Dallas...just in time to enjoy the hospitality of dear friends Oona and Ettore for their annual Boxing Day party with friends and a few very special young ladies.

Then off we go back to Dallas…just in time to enjoy the hospitality of dear friends Oona and Ettore for their annual Boxing Day party with friends and a few very special young ladies.

This is the second time meeting these neat young ladies, all who have a deep loving relation with Oona and Ettore....

This is the second time meeting these neat young ladies, all who have a deep loving relation with Oona and Ettore….BTW, they are watching the Flickr slideshow of last year’s party on my cell phone

Another one of the neat young ladies - the 6th girl was unable to attend this year's party and she was missed....

Another one of the neat young ladies – the 6th girl was unable to attend this year’s party and she was missed….

The FS, FD, and FSIL were able to join in on the Boxing Day party this year. FS had 2 job interviews in Dallas, the FD and FSIL have their rescheduled (due to bad weather) flights out of DFW tomorrow

The FS, FD, and FSIL were able to join in on the Boxing Day party this year. FS had 2 job interviews in Dallas, the FD and FSIL have their rescheduled (due to bad weather) flights out of DFW tomorrow….

Oona and Ettore (far right), aka wonderful hosts and friends! Happy Boxing Day you guys!

Oona and Ettore (far right), aka wonderful hosts and friends! Happy Boxing Day you guys!

The Balloon Daily Cap(s) (356)

A sunrise in your face and reflections off the water as she drifts towards the northeast....

With the sunrise in your face and reflections off the water, this balloon ride drifts towards the northeast….

Dipping low to the lake surface - the pilot was just showing off for the passengers

Dipping low to the lake surface – the pilot was just showing off for the passengers

On the chilliest morning of the year, a hot air balloon defies the 30° temperatures....

On one of the chilliest morning of the year, a hot air balloon defies the 28° temperatures….

The Leaf Daily Cap(s) (355)

40 mph wind gusts yesterday blew leaves off the trees....

40 mph wind gusts yesterday blew all of the leaves off the neighbors’ trees…into only my yard I swear.

...and sometimes into a leaf conglomeration wind row in the street gutter

…and sometimes the wind created a leaf conglomeration wind row in the street gutter…that too in front of my yard I might add.

Maybe some of those leaves were shed because our neighborhood lost a couple old friends this week....

Or maybe it was that some of those leaves were shed because our neighborhood lost a couple old friends this week, and our own “spit” of the urban forest mourned their demise….

The Work Oddities Daily Cap(s) (354)

The day started out with a tree silhouette that I have passed countless times...so much for priding myself in being observant, huh?

Before work, the day started out finding a tree silhouette that I have passed countless times…so much for priding myself in being observant, huh?

At a project site, a monument pier shaft has been drilled - do you realize how difficult it is to set a camera exposure for a hole 12 feet deep?

Then at a project site, a monument pier shaft has been drilled – do you realize how difficult it is to set a proper camera exposure for a hole 12 feet deep?

...believe me, it's difficult even with a trial and error method of skill-less exercise.

…believe me, it’s difficult even with a trial and error method of an obviously skill-less exercise.

Since I couldn't get the right picture exposure, these guys decided to fill in the hole with concrete....

Since I couldn’t get the right picture exposure, these guys decided to fill in the hole with concrete….

And that - a concrete filled hole - I can take a halfway decent picture of....

And that – a concrete-filled hole – I can take a halfway decent picture of…it just has very little personality to speak of. But in a couple weeks…well, I will share that picture of what they put on top of this submerged clump of concrete.

The Fort Worth Post Office Daily Cap(s) (353)

The iconic 79-year old Fort Worth Post Office is located on the south edge of downtown. The flag is a half-staff because of the Newtown school shooting tragedy.

The iconic 79-year old Fort Worth Post Office is located on the south edge of downtown. The flag is a half-staff because of the Newtown school shooting tragedy.

The way-cool lobby runs the entire length (or width) of the building.

The way-cool lobby runs the entire length (or width) of the building.

The west foyer is wonderfully detailed in its architecture - from the floor, the the walls and columns, to the....

The west foyer is wonderfully detailed in its architecture – from the floor, to the walls and columns, to the….

IMG_1053

…ceiling

The furnishings - this a work table for postal customers - are pretty cool as well....

The furnishings – this a work table for postal customers – are pretty cool as well….

As is the mail drop....

As is the mail drop….

....and the P.O. boxes.

….and the P.O. boxes.

Dear Mr. Postmaster, why don't they construct buildings like this anymore?

Dear Mr. Postmaster, why don’t they build buildings like this anymore?

The Slow Zoom Christmas Daily Cap(s) (352)

I got this idea from fellow blogger _______ - he did a much better job at this....

I got this idea from fellow blogger The North Edge (he did a much better job at this) – today’s pictures turned out to be not much more than a good ol’ college try experiment….

Remember my Texas Santa from Aunt Marilyn? He takes on a whole different look when zooming....

Remember my Texas Santa ornament/night light from Aunt Marilyn? He takes on a whole different look when zooming….

I think my Christmas tree needs more lights....

I think my Christmas tree needs a few hundred more lights…next year.

The Weather It’s Christmas Daily Cap(s) (351)

 

Nine days before Christmas and its 75° - Frosty has lost his hat, turned his back to the street, and longs for snow on Christmas trees outside the house....

Nine days before Christmas and its 75° – Frosty has lost his hat, turned his back to the street, broke his arm, and longs for snow on a Christmas tree that is outside the house….

Wait a minute...aren't these guys supposed to be in Mexico or Brazil or someplace this time of year?

Wait a minute…aren’t these guys supposed to be in Mexico or someplace further south about this time of year? Don’t hold me to it but I think these butterflies are juvenille “Painted Lady”.

Yup, that's a lady bug on that pesky backyard dandelion....

Yup, that’s a lady bug on my dag-burned backyard dandelion….

Maybe they only stopped by for a drink, and they will be on their way soon....

Maybe they only stopped by for a drink, and they will soon be on their way….

I'm thinking Zoey should have snow balls hanging from her beard this time of year instead of pine needles....

I’m thinking Zoey should have snow balls hanging from her beard this time of year instead of pine needles….

This is but one of the five or six juvenile "flutterbys" I camera-chased in my backyard this afternoon....

This is but one of the five or six juvenile “flutterbys” I camera-chased in my backyard this afternoon….

Just experimenting...

Just experimenting with an iPad app….

The Christmas Around The Neighborhood Daily Cap(s) (350)

On the back/side yard fence...

On the back/side yard fence facing the street…

There's always a tree that needs lighted...even if you only have 1 spare strand of lights to string

There’s always a tree that needs lighted…even if you only have 1 spare strand of lights to string

If I didn't know better, I'd say this is really Santa's sleigh disguised as a hedge....

If I didn’t know better, I’d say this is really Santa’s sleigh disguised as a hedge…and it’s lighted at night – like a landing strip or something!

OK, so this Red Oak leaf is more an environmental season than that of Christmas....but Zoey found it as interesting as me on our morning walk.

OK, so this Red Oak leaf is not so much Christmas-y….but Zoey found it as interesting as me on our morning walk. (BTW, all these photos came out of my iPhone 4S today)

The Barbershop Quartet Daily Cap(s) (349)

Just as my heart aches for those in Connecticut today, I am reminded of the sadness felt some 15 years ago...it was on this day I lost my Mom. And so to photographed this now 34 year old embrodery she did for me. She knew it then and I still to this day love the sounds of barbershop harmonies. I know you rest in peace Mom.

Just as my heart aches for those in Connecticut today, I am somewhat selfishly reminded of the sadness felt some 15 years ago as it was on this day then my Mom died. In her memory I photographed this treasured 34 year old embroidery she made for me. She knew then and as it is still to this day, I love the sounds of good barbershop quartet harmony. I know you rest in peace Mom and that you take the hands of those innocent victims of the day and welcome them into God’s glory.

The Changing Socks Daily Cap(s) (348)

So tonight, over a cup of Oolong tea, I experimented - same "pose" and different results...this shot was without a flash....

So tonight, over a cup of Oolong tea, I experimented – same “pose” and different results…this shot was without a flash…can you make out the silhouette?

See how I am? Doing the Bokoa business (personally I like to call it "all fuzzy back there") with the feet, the Christmas tree "back there", an this shot with a white fabric across the flash....

See how I am? Doing the Bokah business (personally I like to call it “all fuzzy back there”) with the feet in focus, the Christmas tree “back there”, and this shot with a white fabric draped across the flash….

Red fabric, and another sip of tea....

Red fabric, and another sip of tea….

Green fabric....

Green fabric….

Do some pink cloth stuff with this one, and still "all fuzzy back there"....

Did some pink cloth stuff with this one, and still it’s “all fuzzy back there”….

Some call this fabric "aqua", some may say it is "turquoise" - I'm calling it "blue"....

Some call this fabric color “aqua”, some may say it is “turquoise” – I’m calling it “just blue”….

Going all "peachy" here....

“peachy”….

and then this one is a "naked flash"....

And then this one is a “naked flash”….”I’ll now have another cup of tea, please, and maybe some other colors of fabric”

The Season of Trees (347)

To my pleasant surprise, my Aunt Marilyn mailed me a "Texas Santa" this week. It really is a night light, but for me it went straight to the Tree...HoHoHo!

To my pleasant surprise, my Aunt Marilyn mailed me a “Texas Santa” this week. It really is a night light, but for me it went straight to the Tree instead. Thanks Marilyn – HoHoHo Y’all

Modern trees in downtown Fort Worth - Lancaster Avenue....

Modern trees in downtown Fort Worth – Lancaster Avenue….

I could see this from 1/2 mile away...I came upon a lone tree shining brightly with thousands of lights. This lone pasture shade tree, on a moonless night, is so keenly lighted with amazing detail...I really needed my tripod.

I could see this from 1/2 mile away…I came upon a lone tree shining brightly with thousands of lights. This lone pasture shade tree, on a moonless night, is so keenly lighted with amazing detail…I really needed my tripod.

The Chilly Daily Cap(s) (346)

A bit late for the sunrise, but the fog was still lifting off the lake surface

A bit late for the sunrise, but the fog was still lifting off the lake surface on this, the coldest morning of the year

Coots making ripples along the shoreline....

Coots making ripples along the shoreline….

My Heron buddy was waiting for me...again

My Heron buddy was waiting for me…again

IMG_0619a

A Bluejay sizes up his perching options….

A temperature-difference foggy shoreline

A water-air temperature-difference (they probably have a name for that) foggy shoreline

The Zoey Daily Cap (345)

After a brisk morning walk, the Zoe-bird finds a sunny spot on the dining room floor and takes in its warmth....

After a brisk morning walk, the Zoe-bird finds a sunny spot on the dining room floor and takes in its warmth…sad eyes and all (and she will move with the sun until the sun no longer comes through the window).